CANDY and TOYS

I love Bickenstaff's. They have the best store in town for toys and candy. Who doesn't like toys and candy? Go and check it out. 

Stresssssed

I think its funny when my friends try to run marathons.

Not to mention they run the Utah Valley Half Marathon the weekend before finals and the weekend before school ends. They were stressed to the max.

In order to run the marathon they had to wake up at 3 a.m to take the busses to take them up to Provo Canyon. They were stressed and anxious about running the race, finishing school, taking exams, and preparing for finals.

So they wouldn't have to wake up in the wee morning dark hours, I told them I would drive them up to the canyon in the morning so they wouldn't have to ride the public transportation. I woke up at 5 a.m. and drove them up the canyon and helped them prepare mentally for the marathon.

It wasn't a big deal, but they were pretty stressed. They were stressed about running their little feet to the finish line and waking up early to hop on the bus was just another thing they were worried about. By driving them up the canyon, they could sleep in and dream of sugarplums or water or medals. Whatever marathoners dream of.

Port of Passage

Chelita stole my passport...again.

I am supposed to leave the county to travel the world in fifteen days. That will only be happening if my passport returns to my hands. The poor little bugger has been all over the place, lost, in tornadoes, and lost again. I hope the little guy is alright.

BYU stole my passport for four months. I had to convince them to give it back to me. After hours and days of struggling in the offices of administrators I finally retrieved it. I went to Mexico; I came back and had to give the passport back to BYU. I guess they like babysitting or something. Who knows?

Then it was sent to India and given back to me with my visa. I then had to send it to the Chinese Embassy to get a visa. I sent it weeks ago and it still hasn't been returned. I guess it will show up eventually or else I guess I won't be traveling the world after all.

Maybe I'll just travel around Provo instead.

Buy U a Drank

Thursday evening I was picking up one of my friends before our three hour night class that always seems to last a lifetime.

Before class I decided to come prepared with snacks to help pass time. I bought some drinks, cookies, fruit snacks, you know the usual healthy things.

As I pulled into the parking lot next to her apartment complex I noticed a young mother and her son. They looked like they were in distress and I soon realized when the mother and young boy quietly approached my car.

She asked if she could use my phone because they were supposed to meet someone and it had been a while. I handed her my phone and as I waited for my friend to come outside the young boy clinched onto my car.

I felt bad for the young family and it was hot outside so I handed the boy a gatorade I had purchased for class. The mom quickly returned and thanked me. Feeling sympathy for the family who had been waiting in the summer heat, I handed the mother and son my treats. At first they resisted and didn't know what to say, but they eventually accepted.

It felt good helping them.

In Memorial

We live in the most blessed country in the face of the earth. We live in the United States of America.

We have a proud history in which we should all be proud of. Our country has endured the trials of time and today we live in the greatest country in the world.

This Memorial Day, we honor those brave men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our freedom. We honor, respect, support, admire, love, and appreciate the armed men and women who are serving our country.

I am grateful for Captain Mark Gillman, my cousin, who is currently deployed in Afghanistan. He has left his sweet family to protect the freedom of all of us and to make the world a safer place.

Let us always remember those who are serving us. We should be grateful for their dedication, sacrifice, and service. America the beautiful will always stand for freedom and righteousness.

God bless.

Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?

This has been a year of traveling. This semester especially I have been all over the place. Everywhere except Utah. It is always nice to get out of town, especially when it's snowing in May. I bet my bishop thinks I'm inactive though. I have only been in Provo for church once this entire semester! Whoops.

Here's my travel log:

• Mexico
• Palm Springs
  
• Las Vegas
• California
• Arizona

I'm not complaining. I like traveling. In 24 days I will embark on a new journey. On June 25 I will start my travels around the world and go fulfill some of my life long dreams.

Starting June 25, 2011 to July 23, 2011 I will be in the following:

• New York City
• Paris & Dijon, France
• Geneva, Switzerland
• Milan, Venice, & Florence, Italy
• Beijing, China
• New Delhi, India

It has been quite the year of airplane food and living out of my luggage. At least I'm making memories...Oh and racking up those airline points.

NBA Playoffs

As the NBA playoffs are in full swing my grades, social life, and homework have all taken serious blows. I find myself planning my days and activities around the games and sometimes not even caring about the other activities I have planned.

I am not really surprised with the teams in the playoffs this year, although I didn't think the Lakers would get swept by Dick Nowitzki and the Mavericks.

The Thunder--Mavericks series in the West has been really fun to watch. Both teams have played well, but Dick Nowitzki has played unbelievable. He takes the wildest shots and watches them fall. Although I would like to see the Thunder out on top I think the Mavericks will win in six.

In the East we have a classic matchup with the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls fighting it out. Both of these teams are phenomenal and very fun to watch. The key to winning the series for both teams is defense and this is one of the best match ups possible.

Originally I thought the Bulls could pull it off, but it looks like the "Big 3" in South Beach will get their rings and shove their bling in everyone's faces. The Heat win the championship in five.